Monday, May 9, 2011

Fiji's illegal regime set to quash the country's Trade Unions

The military regime's insatiable appetite for crushing the rights of workers has reached new levels.

The regime is now finalizing a draft decree that will totally nullify trade unions and the role of trade unionists. The decree will be known as the CRITICAL INDUSTRIES EMPLOYMENT DECREE 2011.

Sources who have sighted the decree, say it is the brainchild of American David Pflieger (pictured right), the boss of Air Pacific. Our sources say the Schedule of the Decree lists the Sugar Industry and Airline Industry as Critical National Industries.

The Schedule also lists as Critical Corporations: Fiji Sugar Corporation, Airports Fiji Ltd, Air Terminal Services Ltd, Air Pacific Ltd, and Fiji Airlines Ltd trading as Pacific Sun. The Schedule is still a draft and sources say more state-owned industries and corporations will be added to widen the objective of quashing unions and trade unionists.

Sources say the Decree in its draft form gives absolute powers to the Regime and the Corporations, with the rights and terms of condition of employment of workers rendered meaningless.

Under the pretext of "continued viability and sustainability of critical national industries and "avoidance of interruption", the Decree:

1. Forcibly outlaws all trade unionists currently leading their unions, from holding positions in trade unions that are representing workers in these industries.

2. Requires all office-bearers of such trade unions to be employed by the Critical Corporations. This means the Regime is hell-bent on seeing in-house unions with 'yes' men as unionists.

3. Doesn't recognise all Collective Agreements currently in place that govern rights of workers and protect them against injustice from these State corporations

4. Regime will impose a new Collective Agreement without any negotiation that will last for two years

5. Only after two years can the Union (which will initially be registered as a Bargaining Unit) hold elections for office bearers to elect representatives who are employed by the Corporation.

6. The Election of the in-house office bearers will be conducted and supervised by the Minister delegated responsibility to conduct such acts by the regime.

7. Stipulates that the initial two years, from the commencement of the Decree up to election of the in-house office bearers, should be used to negotiate a new collective agreement that will be binding for 5 years.

8. The provisions of the Critical Industries Employment Decree will prevail over the provisions of the Employment Relations Promulgation (ERP) in the event of conflict between the provisions of the two Decrees.

Sources say the Decree has been sent to the Employers (Corporations) for final input or vetting. It has not been given to the Unions.

The promulgation and enforcement of the Decree will be yet another blatant violation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions that past Fiji Governments have ratified.

The imminent promulgation of the Decree is also further proof elections will not be held in September 2014 as promised by dictator Frank Bainimarama as the Decree is nothing but another oppressive tool being used by the regime for absolute control of every sector.

As the illegal regime sniffs the the strong scent of turning tides of opposition gaining speed, upswell of public dissatisfaction with increasing costa of living and high unemployment, internal military dessent and revolt, nose diving economy, general rumblings against FNPF mismanagement and frauds etc...the miliary junta is on panic mode and wants to snuff out all sources of opposition they can exert influence over such as unions. They will also attempt to nail down other organisations which have influence on communities such as the Methodist Church. This is typical of panicking dictatorships.

The problem with this approach is that normal laws of physics is alive and applicable in this situation and it says "to every action there is an opposite and equal reaction"

It seems the momentum towards conflict and collapse is inevitable unless a political solution is found. The only political solution that has a chance of working, is durable and sustainable is return to democracy now.

This proposed union kill decree may be directed at the fat cats at the helm of this socialist labor movements….we do not think total abolition of existing collective agreements will be decreed. ..oh..Election in 2014 is as sure as the sun rises in the 'morrow, and of course constitutional referendum in 2012 where ALL grievances of faceless contributors in this esteemed column may be addressed, should they be brave enough to put their honorable name to their constructive constitutional ideas.

It's sad but these unions have done nothing in the way of standing up against this regime.Real progress could have been made towards democracy to rid the nation of this illegal regime if the union was doing it's job and looking after workers rights.

@ anon 953 amAnd what will you do to stand up to this Regime ?Will you lobby other Governments and International Union Organisations to place an embargo on Fiji and increase sanctions against the Regime in Fiji ?What are you prepared to do yourself, that you expect others to do for you ?Do you know how to get the email addresses of Ministers, Governments and Unions etc. ?

TIME FOR THE UNION /WORKERS/CHURCH LEADERS/VANUA/CHIEFS TO KICK THSES IDIOT AG TALIBAN AND FRANK THE CRANK OUT.WHAT IS THE PRESIDENT OF FIJI DOING YES MAN AND RUBBER STAMP.SAD DAY FOR OUR FIJI PEOPLE.ARMY /POLICE GUYS OPEN YOUR EYES.THIS AG TALIBAN WILL CONVERT YOU TO ISLAM AND BARKE FIJI.TIME FOR ACTION ENOUGH TALK.COME ON LEADERS LETS MARCH.

Fiji Workers Union leaders should immediately contact their counterparts overseas ( Aust , NZ , USA , Japan etc) to get their unions not to work on any Fiji vessel. Whether it is QANTAS or Air Pacific or Virgin Blue or Container ships or whatever.These countries champion workers-rights so they should support embargo.

Make no mistake the local Air Pacific pilots have been under the gun ever since the Pfleigger made wholesale changes that have virtually eradicated local Top Managers. The Pilots and Managers are being replaced by expatriate pilots and managers at three times what they are paying locals. Why has Pfleigger not revealed what the long tem plans for the company are when questioned by staff? For someone with an extensive CV and qualifications to boot he can give no reassurances to local staff about their future apart from the fact that they will have to bear the brunt of pay cuts and staff reductions. Yet in the same breath when speaking of the need to make necessary expedniture cuts he's hiring all his mates at exorbitant salary rates? Make no mistake we will lose alot more local pilots as they have no choice but to seek employment elsewhere further adding to the saddening and ever increasing brain drain. This decree has all the tademark handiwork of that motherfucking cocksucker aiyaz. Wonder what he's set up with all his jetting to and fro to Dubai and the Middle East? Will we get swallowed up by swallowed up by a long distance carrier using Fiji as a hub or will we be sold down the swannee fo a pittance. What a shame that a once proud symbol of our sovereignty is being put to the rubbish heap. Your day will come Pfleigger and Aiayaz, mark my words.

The Unions have destroyed Fiji's economy due to their confrontational style of unionism. Attar, Felix, Chaudhary, Urai have been having it too good at the workers expense. They are parasites.They have been acting too smart and its high time they are shut up

time for Australian unions to get into the act. ACTU should affect bans on Air Pacific flights into Australia. See how that will harm the Fiji economy. this regime has gone too far. FB and ASK has gone too far. total ban on all things Fiji will soon teach them a lesson not to curb the rights of a union in work place. What's next! starting to sound like days of hitler.

Jone Raqona the ATS Union President arranged to save himself from fraud investigations by running to Khaiyum with a false story resulting in the Board and several managers with tons of experience being sacked. Raqona and Jawal Mangal ATS HR Manager related to Aiiarse (note Mangal daughter engaged to Carl PM Voceke's nominee to FRU Board) are informimg on all ATS employees against Voceke and sacking them ,,,,,just like in Air Pac (though some managers have been free riding there for too long eg Yee Joy, Isaac Komailevuka etc).Everything is going to the dogs including the airport comps. One must not forget that some unions have hindered the commercial viability of these organisations (eg ATS where Raqona earns more than the CEO from his licence allowance, shift allowances etc under the current agreement which is not commercially sustainable).Dua mai keri Semi Meo ulukau!!

Why can’t these senseless advocates of stupidity keep campaigning for stop work or increased embargo from off shore?

Our people are already sacrificing in this resurrection journey to democratic elections in 2014. We are not surprised though that only aliens are propagating brutal acts of assassination…just be very careful what one wishes on others..

Oh, and a financier from Asia (??) for the multimillion dollars Nausori International Airport redevelopment is nearly firmed up .Interesting to see master plan have diversions of a few rivers..that is progress!!

@ Anonymous , May 9, 2011 11:28 AM..oh, are you residing in Iceland??..as you have no idea of the fattening of Union cats over the years?..talk to your sister Ms Anonymous May 9, 2011 12:34 PM..all could say is I stand by all my post..of course, my word is my bond..yours??..oh..anchored in the choppy sea of nothingness.

Isa the last straw beckons on the horizon. With the implementation of such a Decree my fellow workers and myself will be forced to accept whatever our employers pay us. If they say 20% pay-cut or 50% pay cut because of no business then its 20 or 50% take home pay. No one to take our case to.

CIVIL REBELLION / REVOLUTION IS AROUND THE CORNER!!!!

VORE AND AIIARSE, YOU HAVE TRAMPLED ON VANUA, THE CHIEFS, THE METHODIST CHURCH, NGOS, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, THE UNION HEADS AND NOW US THE WORKERS!!!!

THAT IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE YOU'VE EVER MADE, PLAYING WITH US WORKERS, IT IS US THAT MAKE OUR FIJI TICK AND NOT YOU !!!

The unions have always had the back of the Fiji Labour party and vice verser, since the coup began in 2006 the Unions had backed the coup and the Labour party and there involvement in the illegal take over.It's abit late now for these unions to put there hand out and ask for help from there brothers and sisters oversea's now the tables have turned and now they are in the scope of the IG.

As for contacting ministers of foreign affair of both NZ/Aus yes I have their addresses, As for contacting unions I think the trade union may have left it 4 years to late.

He's bloody laughing all the way to the bank with a $144K housing allowance!

And that's housing allowance only:

Denarau Island home which he lives in from Monday to Friday @ $4K per month and Suva Princes Road Home (Governor of the Reserve Bank Official Residence property) @ $8K per month (lives in during weekends coz wife & children need to live in Suva to send children to International school)!

Total Rent per month paid by Air Pacific/fiji taxpayers $12K.

C4.5 - why don't you guys dig out his actual salary going into his bank account??

@Anonymous 7:23.Sounds like Aiarse wants to wreck Air Pacific, by allowing that sort of Rental allowance for Pfilger.All I can say is Aiarse you are a wanker and we will throw you in Jail no matter which country in the world you run to. Even if you run to Pakistan we will find you. Justice will come to you. You have ripped off this country long enough. You and Mr Tappoo and Vuaka will have to answer a lot of questions from Naboro.

@ Semi Meo..........finally showing your true colors. You don't give a rats ass for the workers of this country. All you're concerned about is your so-called 2014 elections where they intend rig it so candidates suit their ideology. Well folks, we can't expect much from a shopping mall janitor!!As for your called developments, where do you think its coming from FNPF, again the workers sweat!!After all its this same workers (in Fiji) who will pay off the loans that these numbskull wannabees are taking from any Tom,Dick & Harry who will offer it.For your so called earlier "Christianity " references, you reek of sarcasm and jealousy.Obviously you are a hypocrite...Sa dri yani!!

I agree with 9:53. This coup was backed by the Labour Party , Unions & Indians. Now they are suffering. Let them suffer!After this Frank should raid Tappoo. They took FNPF money and must pay back. Millions of dollars.

Dont think this is true but even if it was, i wud welcome it. Well done IG. This will be great. Unionist are idiots, just self serving, driving BMW's, picking large pay packets, flying business class and least bothered about members.

And about David's double rent, so what? It is about time we pay well for a top man. We cannot repeat hiring a crippled CEO like the last Aussie was. See what a mess he created. How many times did you see John Campbell sitting economy class on a flight and seeing first hand the problems staff face. Dave needs to be in Suva due to school and closer to Govt decision making process. We should be privileged that a man like Dave has joined Air Pacific. Very impressive, air pilot, lawyer and business exec. Push comes to shove he can fly the plane himself being a former b52 fighter pilot.

Dave has got down to the root cause of issues, such as drunkard pilots preventing a flight from taking off thus causing around $100k in expenses in delay and accommodation. Such pilots like 'Mika, Lewaniqila and Sen have been fired. Well done Dave, keep it up and lets make Air Pac profitable.

@TuiViti..man/woman..I love you..phew!!..been following me around for a long while now??..pls, continue so we drum some sanity in your royal though process...man I love you..oh..remember Peso Kennedy at a NASA launch?..yep..all vocations are honorable.. oh mighty king of nothingness!..was never ashamed of my student day glories janitor prowess…

Much as I detest the proposed clamp down on union leaders and activities,one is forced to ask whether they deserve to stay in their current positions. Vat went up to 15%, pays are down and cost of living soaring but not a word in protest from union leaders. FTU just had its agm - did Agni Deo Singh say one word about teachers not given pay increase in six years since 2006? FPSA agm was held a month ago - not a word about civil service pay increases being due or civil servants taken out of the ambit of Employment Regulations Decree. Has anyone heard from the FTUC recently?

They have become just bootlickers, protecting their own perks, hefty salaries and their travel benefits. These guys are more out of the country than in - why would they want to rock the boat by speaking out against assault on workers or unions rights or pleading trade embargoes?

No, union leaders are having a great time while their members suffer in silence. No hope there, folks!

Unions are generally powerless under dictatorships but the proposed decree is the final nail in the coffin for workers. The next move will be a reduction of wages or another devaluation whichever is the better option to these clowns running the country.

We already have an in-house union since 1993 and is not affiliated to any of the bigger unions. We have a very good relationship with the management and have no problems dealing with log of claims at the end of each year. Early this year the Company gave us 7% increase in wage and allowances. You don't need Felix, Attar, Urai, Rajeshwhar Singh or Chaudhary to fight for your rights! Workers its time to stand on our own feet and fight for our own rights! Get up, stand up!

RAJESH SAID.WE SHOULD SUPPORT THE UNION,CHIEFS,VANUA,CHURCH TO MARCH AND FIGHT ALL THIS ILLEGAL DECREE.WHERE IS THE CLEAN UP AND GOOD TRANSPARENT GOVT PM YOUR PROMISED THE PEOPLE OF FIJI.ALL OF US BEEN CON BY YOU AND AG.I DONT SUPPORT THE COUP BUT DID SUPPORT THE CLEAN UP.NOW THE PEOPLE OF FIJI HAVE TO CLEAN YOUR/AG GOVT.YOU GUYS ARE MORE CORRUPT THAN ANY OTHER PAST FIJI GOVT.I AM NOT A SAINT BUT A SINNER BUT I HAVE EMAILED YOU PM AND AG BUT YOU ARE PROTECTING SOME TOP BUSINESS PEOPLE .WHY.NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW,DRITI /MARA ARE FIGHTING FOR THE TRUTH .WHY YOU DOING THIS TO FIJI PEOPLE.I AM DISAPPOINTED AND HOPE GOD JUSTICE WILL COME ON YOU/AG FOR REAPING AND PUTTING FIJI PEOPLE DOWN.I ASK FIJI PEOPLE TO OPEN ITS EYES AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR ITS PEOPLE.I AM READY TO DIE FOR MY COUNTRY AND FIGHT FOR JUSTICE.I HAS BEEN USED AND ABUSED -NO MORE NOW.

In reflecting on the Fiji Military Government, remember these words of the celebrated Greek philosopher Aristotle:

A Government that rests solely on might or force, whether it be in the hands of one man or more than one, is despotic, even when it is benevolent or well-disposed rather than tyrannical. To be good, government must have authority that those who are ruled acknowledge and accept, not merely power or force that they fear and submit to from fear. Those who are ruled by a despot are subjects, not citizens with some voice in their own government; they are ruled as inferiors, not equals.

Those pilots undertook intensive training and 6 monthly reviews to get their licence and to continue to fly the planes. Unlike your hero VB who is unqualified in anything yet he thinks he can run the country.

It is clear that Aiyaz resents the high number of Fijian pilots, and cabin crew flying with Air Pacific. These people have proved themselves as shown by pilots who have left and are now fying planes like Airbus A380 with Emirates. What Aiyaz probably has in mind is to bring in pilots from India with fake licences.

What is being overlooked in this discussion on Air Pacific is that its record loss of $90 million last year was due mostly to losses from its hedging against oil prices and not from fault with pilots, cabine crew or other staff.

The person responsible for the hedging losses was an Indian accountant by the name of Ashwin Singh, a smart arse know it all just like Aiyaz.

@Anonymous May 11 10:28am. I heards the same thing, Ashwin Singh who did not have his employment terminated but was allowed to resign and join ANZ. The previous board tried to sweep under the carpet the fact that Ashwin stuffed up with the endorsement of the board.

The way in which the report in the Fiji Sun (11/05/11) makes it out like the CEO is being generous to the staff. Actually the only people he's being generous to are the numerous expatriates he's employed.

The extremly worrying trend is when safety is put behind profitability. In the rush to show a profit pilots are being encouraged to disregard company safety guidelines to save money, such as carrying extra fuel to make an alternative landing in case of an emergency/ deteriorating weather conditions.

Geriatric and Cowboy Expat pilots who have neither the experience or the ability to fly in regional conditions think they know more than the locals and tell them they don't have to follow manuals.

Tappoo poos are shit. Put them in jail. The whole lot. Feed them AG 's crap. All should be in walu bay prison together. FB and ASK will suck this country dry and then run off china. Along with tappoos they need to be locked up. F...ing bastards

Dave Plieger and his consultants are on our sites (ex army). They hurt our Fijian families. They sack Fijians. They don't want Fijian cabin crew. They play the race card but they are playing with fire that will destroy them. We are coming after you and your wannabe consultants who are just damned parasites, like you.